Ah, Christmas decorating! That magical time of year when the house transforms into a winter wonderland… or at least that’s the plan. In reality, it’s more like an Olympic event where I, the determined decorator, must rally my crew of reluctant elves—my husband and kids—into action. Spoiler alert: It involves more bribery than a reality TV show. I do have to say that I didn’t want to decorate this weekend. But when the 4 year old asks you every night before bedtime if we can decorate, it tugs on the heart strings the right amount.

Picture this: I crack open the boxes of decorations, ready to unleash some holiday cheer, only to find my enthusiasm met with blank stares. My husband suddenly finds interest in the lawn’s grass growth patterns, and the kids are mysteriously drawn to the gravitational pull of their screens. But no worries! Armed with cookies and hot cocoa, I dive into motivational mom mode. 🎤 *Cue the Christmas pep talk!*

Fast forward to the chaos: lights tangled like a cat’s cradle, ornaments threatening to wage war, and tinsel… everywhere. Who knew decorating could double as an indoor cardio session? As I juggle between cajoling the kids to hang ornaments (not just throw them), and convincing my husband that “eye-balling” the tree straightness isn’t an exact science, it becomes clear we’re not quite the Hallmark family. By the end of the weekend, we’ve managed to decorate exactly half the house. The other half? Well, let’s call it a tribute to minimalist design. The decorations we did manage? Let’s just say, Pinterest will not be featuring our “unique” aesthetic anytime soon.

And the boys? They’re convinced they spent the weekend deep-cleaning the house. Who knew untangling lights could double as a chore? But hey, we’ve got a tree that leans slightly to the left, a wreath that insists on being off-center, and a few tears shed by mom. The boys ended up playing beautifully together so they didn’t have to help.

So, as you embark on your own holiday decorating escapade, remember: it’s all about survival and doing the bare minimum and a whole bunch of bribery). May your homes be merry, your lights untangled, and your family ready to join in… eventually! 🎄✨ #DeckTheHalls #FamilyFun #ChristmasChaos

Oh and yes if you noticed in the picture, I did buy us all outrageously loud, matching, Christmas pjs to wear. They were a hit for half of the family. I’m in shock the husband actually wore them! -Tonya Cherry-